Global HIV/AIDS

Guyana

HIV/AIDS in Guyana

1.4% Estimated Prevalence
(Age 15–49) (2013)
<200 Estimated Deaths (2012)
N/A Estimated Orphans
3,516 Reported Number of Adults Receiving Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) (2012)
>93% Estimated ART Coverage per WHO 2010 Guidelines (2012)

SOURCE:
UNAIDS

Strategic Focus

Strategic Focus
In 2013, CDC began the transition in Guyana from direct service delivery to providing technical assistance for increased country management and long-term sustainability. There is renewed focus on quality clinical services, robust strategic information, and sustained laboratory capacity. CDC also supports increased programming for key, vulnerable populations (i.e., men who have sex with men, sex workers, and miners).

Improving Quality of HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
CDC collaborates with the Guyana National AIDS Program Secretariat to implement several quality assurance activities including HEALTHQUAL and the CDC site monitoring studies program.

Integration of HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) Services
CDC collaborates with partners to support the Guyana National TB Control Program’s efforts to integrate HIV and TB care and treatment in the most populous regions of Guyana.

Strengthening Laboratory Systems & Strategic Information
CDC continues to develop national and regional laboratory capacity to diagnose HIV infections and to monitor disease progression. CDC also helps build country capacity in HIV case surveillance, epidemiologic reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.

Key Activities and Accomplishments

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT)

The PMTCT program identifies pregnant women who are HIV-positive and ensures interventions that reduce the risk of transmission of HIV to their infants prenatally, during childbirth, and subsequently through breastfeeding. The PMTCT program is now 75% transitioned to the Government of Guyana with a high uptake of HIV counseling and testing services among pregnant women and HIV-exposed babies.

TB Infection Control for Health Care Workers throughout Guyana

This CDC-funded training enabled participants to implement TB infection control practices in their respective outpatient facilities. CDC also continues to support the national program through conducting site visits to assess quality assurance and to ensure routine implementation of recommended infection control practices.

Strategic Information

Through CDC-funded training and technical assistance alongside the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, an HIV case surveillance protocol was launched in 2013, with provider trainings in the country’s 10 administrative regions. The protocol provides instructions for completing the new case surveillance form, which is used for reporting new HIV diagnoses, disease progression, and HIV-related deaths.